Hello everybody...again. We're now zipping forward to my regular blog after the special one on the passings of Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and Ed McMahon; and yes, there was other news to report!

First up...here we go again!!!! Last year it was Eliot Spitzer, now it's South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. We now know why he was missing from office for a while without any notice: He got quite freaky with an Argentine lady behind his wife's back, and he admitted it all in a press conference on Wednesday.

Sanford, along with Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, is one of the rising stars of the Republican party; and now with his affair, it appears that the only way to save his bacon is to do what Spitzer and Rod Blagojevich did: Resign.

One couple that has resigned from each other: Jon and Kate Gosselin. On Monday, 10.6 million viewers tuned in to "Jon & Kate Plus 8" for the bombshell announcement that they're headed for divorce court. In response, TLC has put the show on hiatus, though rumors about the couple getting their own separate shows began to surface.

I have an idea: Have Jon join the "American Chopper" team and put Kate on "Mythbusters"; both happen to be TLC/Discovery shows and they too get good ratings!

And last but not least...One of the most anticipated films of the year, "Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen", is now playing, and one of the stars is the amazingly hot Megan Fox. However, with the tattoos and body, she has the similar looks to another stunner: Angelina Jolie.

Now there is a huge comparison between the two, and they're not mistaken for each other. But who is the ultimate transformer? There is only one way to settle this score, and that's the...

(By the way...some of you who remember the old site know that I've done this twice before with Kirsten Dunst/Natalie Portman (2002) and later Amanda Bynes/Hilary Duff (2003))

BREAKOUTS:

Megan Fox: "Transformers"
Angelina Jolie: "Gia"

Advantage: Jolie

AWARDS WON:

Fox: None
Jolie: Six (three Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild awards, and an Academy Award)

Advantage: Jolie

NUMBER OF TATTOOS:

Fox: Eight, including a picture of Marilyn Monroe's face on her right forearm and one on her right shoulder which reads "We will all laugh at gilded butterflies"
Jolie: 13, though she has lasered several of them off including ex-husband Billy Bob Thornton's name

Tattoos are definitely a turn-off for me, so even though she has less, it's advantage: Fox

HUMANITARIAN WORK:

Fox: None
Jolie: UN Refugee Agency Goodwill Ambassador

Advantage: Jolie

Ah, to hell with the rest; Angelina Jolie easily cleans out Megan Fox's clock 3-1! Jolie's got the accolades, Brad Pitt, and the kids to almost rival Jon and Kate's, as well as dethroning Oprah Winfrey to top the Forbes Celebrity 100 (though Oprah still makes more money). Fox on the other hand? Well, she is younger than Angelina, but when it comes to sex appeal, it won't be long till she passes the torch. It's just that I don't take her seriously...unless she strips like Jolie has done.

But personally, I'll have to go with Megan on this one. Then again, we all have our own choice of opinion, as those two are among the countless number of beauties are picking up where the late Farrah Fawcett has just left off. So long and stay strong!

Hello, everybody.

On Thursday, June 25, 2009, the world said goodbye to not one, but two entertainment and pop culture icons within hours of each other: Farrah Fawcett and later Michael Jackson. Fawcett was the first to go, but the news of her death would be suddenly overshadowed by Jackson's, and his made much more news worldwide than Farrah's.

Jackson suffered cardiac arrest early Thursday afternoon; paramedics performed CPR at his Encino estate and later rushed him to UCLA Medical Center. We all held their breath on whether or not he would survive, but then came the first news that the King of Pop slipped into a coma. That would be followed minutes later by the news nobody wanted to hear: Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm Pacific Time (1:26 pm Alaska Time) at 50 years old.

An ever-increasing number of fans were outside the hospital to help say goodbye to Jackson by belting out his songs, and tributes from the entire entertainment universe began to filter in. Here are some of them:

• Quincy Jones: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news…He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."
• Mariah Carey: "No artist will ever take his place. His star will shine forever. millions of devoted fans throughout the world. I feel blessed to have performed with him several times & to call him my friend."
• Britney Spears, who performed a duet with Michael at his 30th anniversay concert in 2001: "I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I’m devastated he’s gone!"
• Liza Minnelli: "He was a kind, genuine, and wonderful man. He was also one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life."
• Lisa Marie Presley, one of Michael's two ex-wives: "I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children, who I know were everything to him, and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me."
• Brooke Shields, who once dated Michael: "My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing."
• Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie's daughter: "I’m in shock, as I know everyone must be. What a tragic loss. My heartfelt thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time."
• Beyonce: "The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music. He was magic. He was what we all strive to be. … I love you Michael."
• Justin Timberlake: "I can’t find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael’s passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only Pop music but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones."

The online community also reacted to Jackson's death with continuous crashes by Google, Twitter, and YouTube. They were all not around in 1994 when Kurt Cobain died and definitely not in 1977 and 1980 after Elvis Presley's and John Lennon's respective passings.

Of course there are a million things to be said about Michael, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958, Michael started performing with his brothers at the age of five; Motown Records signed them in 1968 and the Jackson Five was born. Almost immediately, they were the Jonas Brothers of their day, with songs like "A-B-C", "I Want You Back", and "I'll Be There" dominating the charts.

They continued to churn out hits well into the disco era and by 1979, Michael decided to make a name for himself. His first solo album, "Off The Wall", earned him his first Grammy nominations, but that was just the beginning. It wouldn't be until 1983 with the help of producer Quincy Jones that "Thriller" would make him a household name. The album sold a staggering 100 million copies worldwide, a record that still stands to this day. And his music videos, including the 13 1/2 minute masterpiece "Thriller", was must-see TV for a fledging cable channel called MTV. Also, his performance of "Billie Jean" on Motown's 25th anniversary special not only introduced the "moonwalk" to the world, but would become one of the greatest televised music moments of all-time.

That would be followed up by "Bad" (1988), "Dangerous" (1991), and "HIStory" (1995); they all sold big but couldn't equal the success of "Thriller."

After the boring "Winter Magic" halftime show had viewers flipping their remotes in droves to Fox and their live "In Living Color" opposite it, the NFL in 1993 faced reality and decided to go for big-name acts to headline Super Bowl halftime, starting with Michael. But 1993 would also mark the darkest chapter in his life, as he would be accused of child molestation at his Neverland ranch. The case would be settled out of court, and in attempt to revive his tarnished image, Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley in 1994. The couple made their only public appearance together at the MTV Video Music Awards, but the marriage wasn't sealed with a kiss and by 1996, it was over.

Jackson later married Debbie Rowe; that too didn't last long. Michael was still going strong at the turn of century with "Invincible", but it didn't sell well unlike his previous efforts. However, he did redeem himself with an all-star 30th Anniversary concert in New York which included a reunion with all five Jackson brothers.

And then came what was the whistleblower: A 2003 British TV documentary going deeper into Jackson's life with the man himself. That year, charges against child molestation were filed and Michael would be sucked in to the biggest trial of his life with celebrity friends like Jay Leno, Larry King, and Macaulay Culkin taking the stand. In the end, Jackson would be acquitted on all counts, but the damage was far from done.

In the final months of his life, and with over a reported $400 million in debt, Michael was all set to do a series of shows in London in July. It won't happen now even if they were all sold out, and those tickets will be refunded.

Over the years, Michael has went into a transformation like no other, although he was still recognizable. It started in 1984 when while filming a Pepsi commercial, Jackson suffered second-degree burns to his scalp. He was diagnosed with vitiligo and lupus, which led to cosmetic surgery and undergoing ten procedures.

On Friday, an autopsy on Jackson was performed, and it would be about a month or so till we find out the real cause of death. But while we wait, there are many questions to be answered; one of them: Were drugs to blame?

Jackson admitted that he used a series of painkillers before including Xanax, and now there's word that Demerol may have been the key to his sudden death. This is not new, as Marilyn Monroe, John Belushi, and Anna Nicole Smith all succumbed to fatal drug overdoses.

But love him or hate him, he will leave behind generations of songs that had us jamming to every beat, and he was the person who became the backbone to today's artists. Elvis may be the King of Rock 'n Roll; James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, but even in death, Michael Jackson will forever be known as the King of Pop.

Like I said before, Jackson's untimely demise came just a short few hours after Farrah Fawcett's at age 62 from anal cancer. With the help of "Charlie's Angels" (and that poster which ignited many mens' masturbatory fantasies), Farrah was the pre-Jennifer Aniston: bright, bubbly, and full of life and spirit that charmed us every time she graced the screen. In my special commentary on Sarah Michelle Gellar in the early days of "The Allen Report", I said that she is just like Farrah with the same kind of sex appeal.

Fawcett flexed her serious acting chops in the '80s, with her Emmy-nominated role in "The Burning Bed" as well as "Extremities" and "Small Sacrifices." Her only marriage was to Lee Majors, and her companion after that was Ryan O'Neal; they were together till the end. She did two "Playboy" pictorials in the mid-'90s, followed by her infamous "Late Show with David Letterman" appearance.

But in 2006 came the shocking news: Farrah was diagnosed with anal cancer. Her last public appearance would be at the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards where she reunited with her "Charlie's Angels" co-stars Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson to pay tribute to show creator Aaron Spelling. But the cancer would come back with a vengenace, and it would be chronicled in the NBC special "Farrah's Story." At 9:28 am Pacific Time (8:28 am Alaska Time) on Thursday morning, the cancer won and Farrah Fawcett would get her wings.

With those two showbiz greats now joining together in heaven, June 25, 2009 will definitely be known as "Black Thursday" in the world of entertainment.

And last but not least (for now, because after this will be my regular blog)...we began the week with our goodbye to the sidekick of all sidekicks, Ed McMahon. He was not only known as Johnny Carson's other half on "The Tonight Show", but his resume also included the game show "Snap Judgement", Jerry Lewis' MDA telethon, the ultimate talent showcase "Star Search" (which introduced the world to Rosie O'Donnell, Sam Harris, Britney Spears, Dennis Miller, and Usher among others), "Bloopers and Practical Jokes" with Dick Clark (the practical jokes part being the precursor to "Punk'd"), and being a one-man Prize Patrol by giving away $10 million. Of course failing health and near foreclosure on his house will take a toll on him in recent years, with his last TV appearance being a Cash 4 Gold commercial with MC Hammer.

He will be missed, so Ed McMahon....HEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEE's to you! So long and stay strong.

BULLETIN:
Michael Jackson dies at age 50

The Associated Press according to a source has confirmed the sad news that Michael Jackson, who has been known the world over as the King Of Pop, has died this afternoon at the age of 50 at UCLA Medical Center after suffering cardiac arrest.

Jackson was rushed to the hospital at around 12:30 pm Pacific Time (11:30 am Alaska Time) after paramedics performed CPR on the pop icon. Earlier reports stated that Jackson slipped into a coma; others like the "Los Angeles Times" reported the death story.

News of Jackson's apparent death came just a few hours after we learned of Farrah Fawcett's passing at 62. Along with Ed McMahon, it is already a very, very sad week in the world of entertainment with the losses of those three greats, and I'll have much more on them in a special blog tomorrow. So long and stay strong.

Hello, everybody.

First up...The eyes of the world this week were focused on Iran, where alleged discrepancies following its elections that apparently led to a landslide victory for incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have caused turmoil throughout the country. His opponent, Mirhossein Mousavi, smelled something rotten and may have claimed victory thanks largely in part to rigging of the ballots tilted in Ahmadinejad's favor.

Protests were covered by the world's media for the first couple of days before the Iranian government ordered a cease and desist on them. That's where the Twitter and YouTube universe springed into action, providing us the true images of a post-election drama that blows 2000 and Florida out of the water.

I have never seen this much uprising since what happened in Tiananmen Square 20 years ago. Broadcasts of the protests were played out all over the world on live television, until the Chinese government pulled the plug. And that of course was followed by the money shot: an unidentified man versus four tanks face-to-vehicles at a street near the Square.

If all this appears to be true, then a wind of change will finally be blowing in Iran 30 years after the revolution.

Meanwhile, on this side of the world, there were some jubilation over in Los Angeles as their Lakers made the Orlando Magic disappear to claim their 15th NBA Championship with Kobe Bryant as Finals MVP and coach Phil Jackson earning an unprecendented 10th career title. And Detroit's continuing woes never end with the Red Wings' Stanley Cup loss to Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins.

Now I didn't care one bit, but it seems that David Letterman's apology for an off-color joke he made on his "Late Show" on Bristol Palin (our governor's daughter, of course) have helped him surge ahead of Conan O'Brien in the ratings. At one point earlier this week, there were only a handful of protestors outside the Ed Sullivan Theater who want Dave canned. The end result? One sponsor dropped, which was the Olive Garden restaurant chain owned by Darden Restaurants (who also owns Red Lobster, which I finally dined at almost four summers ago while in North Carolina visiting my grandma Mildred for what would be the final time).

But expect Dave's ratings to hang around temporarily, as we're hoping Conan would get them back thanks to Jay Leno's 10:00 show this fall. And I agree with one person on Twitter: Palin should be Jay's first guest on his new time slot.

And last but not least...one of the most-watched shows on cable right now is TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8", and for good reason: There is all sorts of infidelity troubles brewing between Jon and Kate Gosselin.

To refresh your memory: The couple have been cheating on each other; Jon with a 23-year-old schoolteacher and Kate with her bodyguard. Coverage of this has been all over the tabloids and just recently, one of them ran photos of Kate spanking one of the children. The season premiere a few weeks ago set ratings records for TLC, even beating out the NBA playoffs and "WWE Raw", and now comes what will be a major decision by the couple on Monday's episode.

Have we had enough of them? Probably not, as this is summer and we need a hit like "Jon & Kate" to tide us over until the fall season starts. But I can agree with you on this: Based on the bikini shots taken of her the other week, Kate does look great for a mother of eight! So long and stay strong!

Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen...to analog television!

Hello, everybody. The day has arrived and it's the end of an era as after over 80 years, analog television broadcasting in the United States will be just a faded memory and digital broadcasting will be here to stay forever. So far already, many stations have already shut off their analog transmitters for the last time with little or no fanfare, and bunches more will follow all day.

Here in Fairbanks, KUAC and ABC Alaska's Superstation (KATN) have already flipped their switches just a short while ago. Along with KFXF and KJNP now in digital, KTVF and KXD are right now breathing their final breaths before 54 years of analog television in the Golden Heart City will be no more at 11:59 pm. And of course, I'll have my digital camera capturing those final moments and immediately putting it on YouTube for all the world to see.

The best things about the transition from analog to digital TV is 1) you get a better picture and sound as well as sub-channels via "multicasting" plus free high-definition programming, and 2) no more frustrations of abusing your TV and/or playing with your antenna trying to get a good reception. Of course, if you subscribe to a cable or satellite service, have a TV with a built-in digital tuner, or have a digital converter box connected to your existing TV, you're already set. If not, don't fret. Just purchase a digital converter box for your existing set, follow the instructions on hooking it together, and you and all your channels will be together again.

Now I could've said all this on February 17 (the original shutoff date), but at the eleventh hour, the federal government extended it to June 12 though a handful of stations have already signed off on analog for good. The reason? We thought February 17 was too early, and doing it in the middle of sweeps would be a nightmare.

But like most of you, I'm all set to say goodbye myself. The journey began in 1928, made its grand debut at the 1939 World's Fair, and the show began in 1948 with the transition to color, stereo, and HDTV over those last 60 years. And now, it'll be just like the countdown to New Year's minus Dick Clark, as we'll be counting down the final seconds to the end of an era in this country. Because after midnight tonight, the only thing left on the analog television airwaves will be nothing but a snowy, static picture. So long, stay strong, and goodbye analog television!

Hello, everybody. As always, a lot to get to, so let's get cracking!

First up...HEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRREEEEEE'S CONAN!!! With Jay Leno now spending his summer vacation doing shows across the country, Conan O'Brien was officially being handed "The Tonight Show" baton this week and at its new home at Universal Studios. Ratings for his first night were astounding: 7.1, winning the night overall (Letterman got a 2.8, Nightline 2.7). But Leno had an 8.8 for his "Tonight Show" goodbye.

But like most of us, we are going through a temporary Leno withdrawal and have been scouring through YouTube for any clips. I'm sure that come September 14 (when he returns to the air at 10:00), Jay will definitely play catch-up, especially with the "economy is so bad" jokes.

Speaking of the economy...as you know, General Motors is bankrupt. That doesn't mean it's the end of the once-powerful auto giant, but a rebirth. And to go along with the bankruptcy, GM also sold off their Hummer brand to a Chinese company. This comes as fellow troubled rival Chrysler is emerging from bankruptcy themselves, but still nothing from Ford.

This week, President Obama delivered a special address to the Muslim community at Cairo University in Egypt. Here at home, in his weekly address, Obama is now trying to do something Hillary Clinton couldn't succeed with when she was First Lady: Reform health care in America.

When I commented on the Michael Moore documentary "Sicko" on this very blog almost a couple of years ago, I said that our health care system has been down the tubes for decades, going back to 1971. By the way, my cholesterol count as of 2007 has increased a tad bit, from 79 to now 93. Yes, 93!!! I wonder if staying away from too much fatty foods may have been my secret...well, that or avoiding too much sunlight.

And last but not least...while things are slowly starting to look up again here, on the other side of the Atlantic in Britain, it's starting to get even messy.

The Labour party lost big time in a series of local elections this past week, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown is trying to shrug that off. But the rival parties, including the Conservatives led by David Cameron, aren't buying it, and with the resignation of one of their top politicians, Brown is already feeling the heat. And now it appears that the only way to end all the hurt and turmoil is one of two options: Pressure Brown to resign to keep Labour rule, or better yet...call for a general election!!!

If I was him, I would go with the latter and schedule it for late September. The Labours are like our Republicans: the colors of both parties are red; they have been corrupt for years; and they have politicians that are better off as movie stars (California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger) or baby mamas (Alaska Governor Sarah Palin) rather than representing our country. And if Gordon Brown does call an election sometime next week, you can forget about "Up" or the "Transformers" sequel as the campaigning all throughout Britain will be the real big summer blockbuster of 2009! So long and stay strong.

(And if you have something to say about this week's blog, reply to me on Twitter)